What ‘whispers’ in the Formula 1 paddock are now saying about Cadillac after fresh 2026 crash test concerns

Cadillac will enter Formula 1 as the 11th team on the grid in 2026. However, the process to get into the sport has been far from smooth.

General Motors, who will join F1 using the Cadillac brand, have been trying to get onto the grid as early as 2023. They had reached approval for their Andretti bid late that year from the FIA.

However, in 2024, Formula One Management (FOM) rejected the deal, citing commercial and sporting reasons. They did not have the confidence that Andretti would bring any value to the sport in terms of competitiveness and financial backing.

Now, in 2025, GM have finally received approval to join F1 with Cadillac ahead of the new technical regulations in 2026. The team will run with Ferrari engines until they become a factory team by the end of the decade.

The existing F1 teams felt Cadillac may have a head start for 2026 as they can solely focus on next season, while everyone else must balance their 2025 efforts with the new rules. However, there have been some concerns raised by the F1 paddock in recent weeks.

‘Whispers’ in the F1 paddock say Cadillac will draw ‘heavily from outside suppliers’ to save time for 2026

Cadillac received the green light from F1 in March this year. Since then, according to a report from Autosport, there have been ‘frantic levels of activity’ to get ready for next season.

Main backers Mark Walter and Dan Towriss ‘exposed themselves’ by taking on the cost and operation of the Silverstone site ‘without a proper entry’. Furthermore, Cadillac are significantly short-staffed, with the rumoured 600-strong workforce currently half that number due to various gardening leaves.

Over the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Cadillac conducted crash tests after building their own body, despite ‘persistent’ rumours of a partnership with Dallara. The chassis used would have seen the tests passed, but it was ‘well over the weight target set by engineers’.

While this is not much of a surprise given all the teams are fighting the 2026 weight limit, Cadillac’s rushed approach will not have helped things. The report states that there are ‘whispers’ in the paddock that the team will ‘draw heavily from outside suppliers’ to buy them time for next season.

Ferrari will supply the team’s power unit, gearbox and rear suspension as part of their agreement, while work has begun in Cologne with Toyota in the wind tunnel for aerodynamic development.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

Cadillac are narrowing down their driver shortlist for 2026

As Cadillac frantically prepare for 2026, there is another important issue to resolve that cannot be rushed; their first drivers in F1.

With the American brand offering two extra seats in F1 for the first time since 2016, several drivers are putting themselves in the hat to join the team next season. The consensus is that Cadillac want an experienced driver to possibly go alongside an American talent.

Sergio Perez has been heavily linked with Cadillac as his sponsors hold lengthy negotiations with the team. The Mexican is also having talks with Alpine, which could open the door for other candidates.

Former Sauber drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are experienced options for the team, as well as Mick Schumacher, who is determined to return to F1 after a three-year absence.

Colton Herta’s interest is dwindling as his superlicense points remain an option. Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich has emerged as an option for team principal Graeme Lowdon, after the Brazilian impressed him on the sidelines.